HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8656INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8656
Date: January 18,
`t.; r To the Mayor and Members of the City Council 2005
Page 1 of 2
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$►� SUBJECT: Taser Deployment Guidelines and Use
On September 13, 2004 the Police Department submitted an informal report to Council detailing the issuance of Tasers
to officers in patrol, SWAT, Gang and other divisions within the department. In addition, Tasers have been assigned to
the City Marshal's Office for use by deputy city marshals. Questions arose during the December 7, 2004, Pre - Council
meeting about the deployment guidelines and use of the Tasers.
After benchmarking Taser policies with several other police departments across the country and sending several police
instructors to the Taser instructor courses, the Police Department established guidelines on Taser use in our equipment
order, General Order 504.03. This order states in part, "Taser use may be deployed when there is a risk of injury to the
officer or suspect, or during the arrest process when the officer needs to utilize it to gain control."
A special order issued by Chief Mendoza on July 19, 2004 revised General Order 306.00 on the use of force continuum
to include Taser use. Officers may deploy Tasers in the drive stun capacity by removing the cartridge that shoots the
probes. This method, which shocks the subject, is less intrusive and is a pain compliance technique that is used when
soft open hand control such as joint manipulation would result in a higher potential for injury to the suspect, officers, or
Q;,er.
The special order also allows for full Taser use by shooting the electrical probes into a subject when the officer has
probable cause to arrest and physical engagement of the subject would expose the officer to a reasonably defined risk
or distinct tactical disadvantage. Examples of tactical disadvantages are incidents involving multiple subjects, subjects
who are attempting to contaminate the officer with body fluids or other biohazards, when there is a large subject and
small officer, or prisoner escape.
One incident of Taser use occurred on August 13, 2004 when officers received a call on a mentally ill person on a public
street, throwing objects at passing cars. After officers arrived, the person began walking toward them swinging a pipe
and carrying a broken bottle. Officers gave verbal commands to the person to halt and drop the objects, but the person
just tapped his chest in a motion indicating he wanted the officers to shoot him. Officers deployed the Taser and the
person was immobilized without injury and was taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
Another incident of Taser use occurred on September 26, 2004 when officers were dispatched to a domestic
disturbance. Officers arrived to find a male clutching a two- year -old child to his chest, threatening to break the child's
neck. The subject was also swinging at officers attempting to strike them. Officers deployed the Taser and were able to
remove the child from the subject's arms without injury to the child. The subject then continued to fight officers and
officers again used the Taser to control him and take him into custody. The subject received a minor cut to a finger and
officers were not injured.
On October 7, 2004 officers received a report of a burglary in progress involving suspects armed with guns and in
ssession of a pipe bomb. When officers arrived the suspects fled and subsequently a foot pursuit ensued. When an
;er cornered one of the suspects, the suspect began running toward the officer, refusing to obey verbal commands to
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8656
Date: January 18,
T r° 2005
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 2 of 2
+4t2 SUBJECT: Taser Deployment Guidelines and Use
get on the ground. The officer shot the suspect with the Taser and took him into custody without injury to the officer or
suspect.
Since the Tasers were first issued, officers have deployed them over 125 times. As illustrated in the incidents above,
officers have used Tasers to control violent, mentally ill citizens and combative or armed suspects. Use of Tasers has
prevented injuries to innocent third parties, officers, and the suspects themselves with great success. It has prevented
officer- involved shootings and situations known as "suicide by cop."
If you have any further questions, please contact Chief Ralph Mendoza at 817.392.4210.
• &dAM-
Charles Boswell
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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